Kings College, University of Cambridge

The letter from the Cambridge University Students¡¯ Union to Tory MP Elizabeth Truss, a junior ?minister in the Department for Education, follows what the union calls an ¡°inadequate¡± response from Ms Truss to its petition on the issue, signed by 1,663 students, that it delivered to the DfE in March.

The letter says that Ms Truss¡¯s letter ¡°seemed to imply that our main concern was the administrative impact on the University of Cambridge¡¯s admissions process¡±.

¡°Whilst this is a concern we share with the University, we are primarily concerned about the actual effect of these reforms on sixth form students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ, and their fair access to it.¡±

The letter goes on to say the plan to scrap AS levels ¡°restricts choice¡± and ¡°further disadvantages those in the most challenging schools¡±.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Cambridge has been among the leading critics of the proposals, as admissions officers say AS levels aid fair access by providing a good early indication of which applicants have the most potential to study at the institution.

Vicky Hudson, CUSU access officer, said: ¡°After handing in a petition which 1,663 students signed we received an appalling response from the Department for Education.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

¡°It has been assumed that as we are students from the University of Cambridge our main concern must be the administrative impact on Cambridge¡¯s admissions process ¨C in fact our primary concern is the effect this reform will have on sixth-form students and their fair access to higher education.

¡°We are writing this letter as we will not let our concerns be brushed under the carpet and we implore the government to listen to students¡¯ views.¡±

simon.baker@tsleducation.com